Clarkston High School seniors Adam Ratliff, Kathleen Kerr and Lucas Wolfe placed fitst, second and third in Clarkston Optimist Club’s essay contest.
Sherry Regiani, Clarkston Optimist essay chair, presented them with medals and certificates. The winners will also receive $100, $75 and $50 Border’s Gift Cards.
‘It’s an honor, and unexpected, but I’ll take it,? Ratliff said. ?
He entered the contest to win scholarship money. Both Kerr and Wolfe entered because their parents told them to.
The topic for this year was: ‘Today’s Choices Shape My Future.?
Ratliff wrote about how his rigorous academic schedule, Varsity basketball and abstaining from drinking and drugs will help shape his future successes.
Kerr detailed time she spent with her mother in the Dominican Republic. She went to help translate and ended up helping out at an orphanage.
Wolfe decided not to read his essay aloud.
After graduation, Ratliff will attend Michigan State University where he plans to study pre-law.
Kerr will attend Northern Michigan University in the fall. She will major in nursing. Wolfe said he will probably attend Oakland University, but isn’t sure what he wants to study yet.
The Optimists hosted a breakfast, catered by Brioni Caf? & Deli, for them at Clarkston United Methodist Church.
Ratliff will go on to the District level where he will compete against 20 other clubs for a $650 scholarship. Winners from there will go on to Nationals for a $6,000 scholarship.
The breakfast also honored Gina Bollini for being Student of the Month at Clarkston Junior High School.

Sashabaw Middle School students Michael Ray and Brook Huisman recently won the Clarkston Optimist Club’s oratorical contest, themed ‘Why Me? Why Not??
Ray and Huisman were awarded $150 and will compete against winners from other Optimist clubs in the area. The winner of the zone competition will compete in districts, with a chance to win a scholarship.
‘Micheal Ray and Brook Huisman did a wonderful job presenting their speeches about the questions posed to them,? Club President Jean Dasuqi said. ‘The members of our Optimist Club have no doubt that they have a bright future ahead of them.?